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The Dead Kid Detective Agency #2
Dial "M" for Morna
As the Dead Kid Detective Agency embarks on its second (mis)adventure, October Schwartz and her five deadest friends are back, turning over metaphoric rocks and finding the centipedes underneath. In this latest volume, set against a backdrop of yuletide pandemonium, they discover dark supernatural forces at work in Sticksville and sleuth their way through a mystery involving a blizzard of suffragettes, ice skating disasters, anti-Asian sentiment, and the Titanic. Although the holiday season has descended upon the town like an eggnog rainstorm, October has no time for candy canes or mistletoe. She’s busy dealing with an oddly pleasant new history teacher, her two living friends’ new roles as high school radio DJs, and mysteries to be solved before the year end. October and her ghost friends are hot on the trail of those responsible for Morna MacIsaac’s death in 1914—or as hot as one can be on a 100-year-old trail—when Yumi becomes the target of a sinister harassment campaign at school. Solving dual concurrent mysteries at once won’t be easy, but the intrepid heroine in black eyeliner loves a challenge.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Evan Munday
9 books32 followersEvan Munday is an illustrator whose work has appeared in books and magazines, including Toronto Life, This Magazine, Alternatives Journal and Broken Pencil, as well as the novel Stripmalling, by Jon Paul Fiorentino.
He works as publicist for Coach House Books and has just finished work on a graphic novel, Quarter-Life Crisis, set in a post-apocalytic Toronto. He lives in Toronto.
He works as publicist for Coach House Books and has just finished work on a graphic novel, Quarter-Life Crisis, set in a post-apocalytic Toronto. He lives in Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 20, 2018
Oh this book was even more hilarious than the last one! Its up to October Schwartz to solve not one, but two mysteries this time. The mystery of Morna MacIsaac's death (part of the Dead Kids), and the mystery of October's best friend- Yumi Takeshi. Yumi is getting harassed and receiving threats, and October takes the reins if solving who the harasser is.
I love how this book kept making me question who the alleged murder and harasser could be. Also, the humour! Did I mention I laughed so hard at the humour?
A great sequel! Excited to read the next one!
I love how this book kept making me question who the alleged murder and harasser could be. Also, the humour! Did I mention I laughed so hard at the humour?
A great sequel! Excited to read the next one!
February 25, 2018
Much smoother than the first one, but just as fun. Four thumbs up from me & the 11 year old.
September 6, 2016
Funny, Lively, and a Little Edgy
The best one shot description is that this seems to be the story of a hipper, more articulate, and funnier Christina-Ricci-as-Wednesday-Addams kind of girl. Even better, our heroine is funny, insightful, and sometimes a bit cutting but never mean or snarky. You can laugh with her and at her, and she sometimes goes for deadpan self putdowns, but there is never any of the whiny or angsty stuff that can get old fast.
In the previous, (first), book in this series October found out she could call up the spirits of five different dead kids. With their help the goth heroine in black eyeliner solved a murder after a series of adventures. October made a deal with her five ghost friends that she would solve the mysteries involved in their various ends. In this book, October turns her attention to the case of the youngest ghost, Mona MacIsaac. No spoilers here, there are a couple of mysteries, from the past and the present, a bit of adventure, and some clever twists and turns.
But once you have a premise and a decent plot it seems a book like this really turns on the appeal of the characters and how they interact. October, of course, has two sets of sidekicks. Her live pals, Yumi and Stacey, (with whom she shares the weird kid table at school), are just the right combination of knuckleheadedness, drama, and snappy comebacks. They are interesting on their own. October's dead kids are also individuals and add a lot of spice and variety to the proceedings.
The book touches on some serious issues, like depression, bullying, and racism, but not in a heavy handed way, and in a fashion that fits well into the overall story.
So, the upshot is that we have a fine heroine and a book that is fun, funny, and full of energy. A very nice find.
Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
The best one shot description is that this seems to be the story of a hipper, more articulate, and funnier Christina-Ricci-as-Wednesday-Addams kind of girl. Even better, our heroine is funny, insightful, and sometimes a bit cutting but never mean or snarky. You can laugh with her and at her, and she sometimes goes for deadpan self putdowns, but there is never any of the whiny or angsty stuff that can get old fast.
In the previous, (first), book in this series October found out she could call up the spirits of five different dead kids. With their help the goth heroine in black eyeliner solved a murder after a series of adventures. October made a deal with her five ghost friends that she would solve the mysteries involved in their various ends. In this book, October turns her attention to the case of the youngest ghost, Mona MacIsaac. No spoilers here, there are a couple of mysteries, from the past and the present, a bit of adventure, and some clever twists and turns.
But once you have a premise and a decent plot it seems a book like this really turns on the appeal of the characters and how they interact. October, of course, has two sets of sidekicks. Her live pals, Yumi and Stacey, (with whom she shares the weird kid table at school), are just the right combination of knuckleheadedness, drama, and snappy comebacks. They are interesting on their own. October's dead kids are also individuals and add a lot of spice and variety to the proceedings.
The book touches on some serious issues, like depression, bullying, and racism, but not in a heavy handed way, and in a fashion that fits well into the overall story.
So, the upshot is that we have a fine heroine and a book that is fun, funny, and full of energy. A very nice find.
Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
December 19, 2014
Very happy with this book. I haven't read the first one but that was not a barrier to entry. I was spoiled on the ending of the first one, which is obviously going to happen, so I would recommend going to that one first if such a thing matters to you.
This book seems to continue the saga of October Schwartz and her group of Canadian ghost teenagers from the past who work as a team to solve mysteries. After the fallout of the last book October has had a month off only to dive head first into another mystery at her Sticksville High School this time involving a new History teacher that has recently moved into town, the 100 year old murder of her ghost friend Morna, and a racial assault on one of her close friends. While the mystery takes her back to Canada at the turn of the century October must also deal with the ever present stresses of modern day teenage life including bullies, awful teachers, and her family.
The book overall has a feel of something akin to Buffy the Vampire Slayer pre-season IV. High School, friends, supernatural elements are obvious connections but beyond that the pace and the voice feel very Whedonesque in a fantastic way. Munday constantly references pop culture from multiple eras which is a bonus and even goes so far as to include a glossary of terms in the back which is a major plus for any teenager reading it today. It felt almost like a modern day form of footnotes, which actually might teach teenagers how to use them. It also is a great primer to encourage teens to engage with similar cultural elements that they might be interested in.
Elements to consider when recommending:
Detective Story, Supernatural, Ghosts, Mystery, Canadian, Asian-American characters, History, Female main character, Quick witted, Funny, Sophomore reading level, Teenage characters, Depression,
This book seems to continue the saga of October Schwartz and her group of Canadian ghost teenagers from the past who work as a team to solve mysteries. After the fallout of the last book October has had a month off only to dive head first into another mystery at her Sticksville High School this time involving a new History teacher that has recently moved into town, the 100 year old murder of her ghost friend Morna, and a racial assault on one of her close friends. While the mystery takes her back to Canada at the turn of the century October must also deal with the ever present stresses of modern day teenage life including bullies, awful teachers, and her family.
The book overall has a feel of something akin to Buffy the Vampire Slayer pre-season IV. High School, friends, supernatural elements are obvious connections but beyond that the pace and the voice feel very Whedonesque in a fantastic way. Munday constantly references pop culture from multiple eras which is a bonus and even goes so far as to include a glossary of terms in the back which is a major plus for any teenager reading it today. It felt almost like a modern day form of footnotes, which actually might teach teenagers how to use them. It also is a great primer to encourage teens to engage with similar cultural elements that they might be interested in.
Elements to consider when recommending:
Detective Story, Supernatural, Ghosts, Mystery, Canadian, Asian-American characters, History, Female main character, Quick witted, Funny, Sophomore reading level, Teenage characters, Depression,
February 16, 2015
Reviewed on Lili Lost in a Book
In "Dial 'M' For Morna," we've got a double mystery for The Dead Kid Detective Agency! First we try to find out who killed Morna. Second, October, Yumi, and Stacey are victims of a hate crime, and the question is... Who dunit? And oh my gods, there is a connection between both mysteries, believe it or not! It really surprised me.
I thought it was a very fun read, very appropriate for kids of MG and up. Our leading lady October is great... very funny with all her sarcastic remarks! She is also very loyal to her ghostly friends and so very caring for her sick dad. Speaking of which, there are two very strong subjects in the book that are important: bullying and depression. Just thought I'd point that out.
I also loved the supporting characters... Yumi, Stacey (we find out something very interesting about him!!), and of course, all the ghosties!
The story itself was mysterious (duh), suspenseful, adventurous, and so very funny! It had a lot of history stuff, which is not really my thing, but I gotta admit that it was very interesting!
And I know I mentioned this before, but I absolutely love how the narrator speaks directly to us the readers :)
I highly recommend this series to those who like mysteries, ghosts, and just a fun read!
In "Dial 'M' For Morna," we've got a double mystery for The Dead Kid Detective Agency! First we try to find out who killed Morna. Second, October, Yumi, and Stacey are victims of a hate crime, and the question is... Who dunit? And oh my gods, there is a connection between both mysteries, believe it or not! It really surprised me.
I thought it was a very fun read, very appropriate for kids of MG and up. Our leading lady October is great... very funny with all her sarcastic remarks! She is also very loyal to her ghostly friends and so very caring for her sick dad. Speaking of which, there are two very strong subjects in the book that are important: bullying and depression. Just thought I'd point that out.
I also loved the supporting characters... Yumi, Stacey (we find out something very interesting about him!!), and of course, all the ghosties!
The story itself was mysterious (duh), suspenseful, adventurous, and so very funny! It had a lot of history stuff, which is not really my thing, but I gotta admit that it was very interesting!
And I know I mentioned this before, but I absolutely love how the narrator speaks directly to us the readers :)
I highly recommend this series to those who like mysteries, ghosts, and just a fun read!
April 16, 2015
Right so I just finished this book and I must say it was much more interesting then the first one. Most likely because I'm more interested in what happened to the dead kids then in what's happening with October.
However I'm still not enjoying the flip flopping of perspective and the random comments the author is putting in. I want to read about the characters not which song he likes better. And it's that annoyingness right there that lost it a star.
It's gotten to the point where I'm not going to buy these books anymore and just borrow them from the library.
However I'm still not enjoying the flip flopping of perspective and the random comments the author is putting in. I want to read about the characters not which song he likes better. And it's that annoyingness right there that lost it a star.
It's gotten to the point where I'm not going to buy these books anymore and just borrow them from the library.
April 22, 2014
Look out Arthur Slade, Richard Scrimger, and Susan Juby, Evan Munday is coming after that funniest-kids-author-in-Canada title. I loved this second installment of The Dead Kid Detective Agency, and I really hope October Schwartz is going to get the opportunity to solve all the dead kids' mysteries in subsequent books. Mixing Canadian history, pop culture, sleuthing, and humour in a narrative that alternates between October's voice and a "Dear Reader," style, this book is a winner all around.
January 10, 2014
Absolutely adored this book! So excited the series continues with this. Evan's writing has become a lot stronger. The pace of the story is perfect, I was hanging on to it all, always trying to figure out the mystery and I was constantly surprised. We get to know the voice of October even better in this, and are tempted towards things to come. Would recommend highly!
October 4, 2015
The second outing of the Dead Kid Detective Agency is full of wit, wry humour, delightful cultural references, and contains a pretty sound plot. While categorized as a YA mystery series, there's lots to love for older readers looking for a quick, fun story with a clever plot and narration. And can't wait to pick up book 3 after that doozy of a cliffhanger!
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February 21, 2014Another Sunburst YA Award read, so no rating or review.
April 26, 2014
Cliffhanger! :( I can't wait for the next book in the series...but it will probably be a while as Evan Munday hasn't even finished writing it yet. This was even better than the first book.
January 18, 2016
I love this series. They are funny and historical and so very full of pop culture references. Both me and my 10 year old daughter read these and have been greatly enjoying them!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews